Dignity Health and UCSF Health on Tuesday announced a new affiliation that will bring UCSF Health’s academic expertise to three Dignity Health hospitals in the Bay Area: Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco.

The organizations also have signed a letter of intent for doctors at Dignity Health Medical Group Sequoia and at Dignity Health Medical Group Saint Francis/St. Mary’s to collaborate with UCSF clinical faculty in sharing best practices and improving access, quality, efficiency and coordination of care for shared patients.

Dignity Health and UCSF Health have previously worked together to improve patient care in pediatric burn, rehabilitation and heart care, among other conditions.

The three Dignity Health hospitals also have joined the Canopy Health accountable care network to provide continuity as patients’ health needs transition between primary and specialty care.